The UCP government is ending its annual funding of the low-income transit pass program accessed by tens of thousands of Albertans each month.
Edmonton Mayor Armajeet Sohi issued a statement Tuesday on X that indicated the provincial funding was being discontinued.
“At a time when Edmontonians are struggling to afford their basic needs and demand for this program has increased 150 per cent since 2016, the decision to defund this program in Edmonton and Calgary shows that the province’s priorities are in the wrong place,” he wrote.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek spoke with Media late Tuesday.
The province responded late Tuesday afternoon, outlining the investments they’re making in large transit infrastructure projects in Calgary, along with providing additional funding for social supports, and rural transportation, where the help is needed most.
“As transit is a municipal responsibility in the two big cities, we are investing more in core services delivered by the province like homelessness and housing. We are also providing support to the two cities through the Family and Community Support Services program which provides Calgary FCSS with $31 million to support low-income Albertans and Edmonton FCSS with $23.3 million,” read a response from Alexandru Cioban, press secretary for Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services, Jason Nixon.
Currently, an Edmonton Transit Service adult monthly pass is $100.
The program offers reduced-cost tiers — at either $35 or $50 — depending on several criteria, including household income, number of family members or enrolment in certain benefit programs like AISH. A single person would have to make $33,579 or less annually to qualify for the lower-tier pass.
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